Ernest Myrand’s 1899 book is a deep dive into a single, overlooked event: the Christmas spent by Jacques Cartier’s expedition at their fort near present-day Quebec City in 1541. It was a desperate time. The men were isolated, freezing, and likely starving, a world away from home.

The Story

Myrand pieces together clues from old journals and records to reconstruct what that holiday might have been like. He asks the simple, powerful questions: Did they even celebrate? Could they? The book explores their grim reality—the bitter cold, the fear of attack, and the looming shadow of scurvy—and contrasts it with the European traditions of feasting and worship they left behind. It’s less a novel and more of a historical detective story, trying to find the human moment within the harsh facts.

Why You Should Read It

What I love about this is how it makes history feel immediate. Cartier stops being just an explorer on a map and becomes a real man trying to hold his crew together through a terrifying winter. Myrand’s writing, while old-fashioned, has a real passion for the subject. He makes you feel the crunch of the snow and the weight of their loneliness. It’s a poignant reminder that behind every grand historical adventure were real people having a really tough day, even on Christmas.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs who enjoy micro-histories or anyone with a soft spot for Canadian origins. It’s also a great, quick pick for the holiday season if you want something more substantive than a Hallmark movie. Just be prepared—this isn’t a story of cozy Yule logs, but of resilience in the face of profound hardship. You’ll never think of a Canadian Christmas the same way again.